Finials take many forms and feature a wide range of different designs, figures and sculptures. Finials have been used all over the World from medieval times most notably in China and more recently the UK. The Romans were also known to have decorated their roofs with ornamental features because fragments have turned up in archaeological digs
In the UK the Victorians were into roof finials in a big way, a lot of Victorian properties still retain roof finials as part of the original architecture of the buildings. The finials in our range are based on the Victorian style
Victorian finials
The Victorians really did champion roof finials and used them in their thousands in the design and architecture of their buildings. Typical Victorian finial designs include fleur de lys finials, Spike finials, Ball finials and scrolled varieties among a host of other designs. The finials tend to sport a decorative ridge tile base complete with finial crest or castings that include the ridge base and sculpture as a complete piece
Gothic style finials
Gothic roof finials typically include ornamental figures such as roof dragons, gargoyles, wyverns, grotesques and other mythical creatures. These gothic roof finials feature some stunning and decorative designs and aside from anything else decorate the roof and are said to ward off evil spirits, deter witches on broomsticks or in the case of roof dragons to provide good luck
Dragon finials and Gothic finials in the UK started appearing in the 1870’s and possibly before that. The gothic style was influenced by Chinese architecture
Finial Traditions and heritage
Finials and roof sculptures turn up in archaeological digs. A small decorative piece of clay terracotta was found on the banks of the river Thames. This small piece of terracotta was in the shape of an animal and it was identified as being part of a medieval roof finial dating back approximately 800 years to the 12th century. As previously mentioned the Romans also used finials and sculptures in their architecture
Roof finials are not only part English architectural importance and history, Chinese and other cultures have used ornate roof finials for their grand buildings and traditions for hundreds of years
What materials are finials made of
Finials are mainly made from clay, concrete, wood and stone. Clay finials were very popular in Victorian times however with most of them being well over 100 years a percentage have already been lost, are damaged or are in poor condition
Concrete finials are a modern, quality and cost effective solution to replacing, restoring or adding beautiful architectural features to the roof
When original finials and features break or are in poor condition we assist architects, homeowners, roofers and builders replace missing, damaged and broken original finials to restore buildings to their former glory preserving original details for years to come